Method for determining relative mobility or regions of an object

ABSTRACT

A method for determining a mobility of foot comprising: measuring at least a portion of a shape of the foot under a first weight load; measuring the at least the portion of the shape of the foot under a second weight load; and comparing the measurement under the first weight load to the measurement under the second weight load, thereby determining a mobility of at least the portion of the foot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to object contour measurements, and moreparticularly, to methods for determining mobility of different regionsof a foot.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobility, i.e., a difference in the position of a structure of a footbetween loaded and unloaded states, is an important measurement,especially for determining the support needs of a person. The mobilityof various areas of the foot vary from person to person. A relativelymore mobile foot will flex more during ambulation (walking) than themore rigid foot. A foot with more mobility is also more likely topronate excessively. This can result in foot instability and undofatigue, which may result in stress, foot, knee and/or back injury.

The relative mobility of a foot is therefore important information whentrying to understand any particular foot's needs for support in gait.This can be an especially powerful piece of information when trying todetermine the proper footwear for a given foot. In addition, thisinformation is helpful in determining what type of foot orthotic and theamount of support needed, in the range of rigid to semi-flexible tosoft. A retailer with knowledge of the customer's mobility would be ableto properly recommend a shoe and presumably have a sales advantage.

There is a need for an apparatus and method for determining the relativemobility of various areas of an object such as a foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for determining a mobility of an object, e.g., a foot,comprising: measuring at least a portion of a shape of the object undera first weight load; measuring the at least the portion of the shape ofthe object under a second weight load; and comparing the measurementunder the first weight load to the measurement under the second weightload, thereby determining a mobility of at least the portion of theobject.

Another embodiment includes a method for determining a mobility of anobject, comprising: measuring a first elevation from a reference planeof at least one location on an object under a first weight load;measuring a second elevation from the reference plane of the at leastone location on the object under a second weight load; and determining amobility of the object at the at least one location based on adifference between the first elevation and the second elevation.

The reference plane is preferably a surface platform.

Optimally, mobility is determined by the formula:(Object Elevation at Initial Loaded State at (X,Y))−(Object Elevation atSecond Loaded State at (X,Y))=(Mobility of Foot at (X,Y))

The elevation measurement is taken along an axis perpendicular to thereference plane.

The method further comprises displaying the mobility to a user, customerand/or physician. The displaying preferably includes providing a visualindication of mobility characteristics across a surface of the object.

The method further comprises wherein at least one location is aplurality of locations arrayed on a surface of the object.

The method wherein each the measuring step uses a measurement systemselected from the group consisting of: one or more gauge pins thatcontact a surface of the object, and one or more swing sensor arms.

Optionally, the method wherein each the measuring step uses an opticalscanner that incorporates a light source to determine the elevation,wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of: astructured light, a laser light source and a combination thereof.

Alternatively, the method wherein the measuring step uses a pattern thatis adhered or conformed to the foot and is captured by an imaging device(e.g., camera, chemical or digital) and postprocessing to evaluate thesurface of the foot. One such pattern is applied via a sock with stripepatterns on its which utilizes a camera to evaluate the shape of thestripes to determine the shape of the contour of the foot. Anotherembodiment, involves the use of a hand-held digital camera for creatinga grid of sorts without a sock along with a lens having a built-in gridcapability for measuring the foots angulation and geometry.

Alternatively, the method wherein each the measuring step uses anoptical scanner that includes a camera to evaluate the surface of thefoot.

The method wherein each the measuring step uses a pressure measurementto characterize the surface of the foot.

The method further comprising: comparing the mobility of the at leastone location of the object with a mobility of a reference object.

The method further comprising designing, based on the mobility, amedical treatment selected from the group consisting of: an orthoticintervention and a surgical procedure.

The method further comprising selecting, based on the mobility, asupport device selected from the group consisting of: footwear and aninsole.

The method further comprising transmitting the visual indication ofmobility characteristics to a remote location.

A method of evaluating the effectiveness of a proposed orthoticintervention, comprising: determining a desired mobility of at least aportion of a foot; placing the foot in a position that creates thedesired mobility; determining an actual mobility of at least the portionof the foot by measuring at least a portion of a shape of the foot undera first weight load; measuring the at least the portion of the shape ofthe foot under a second weight load; and comparing the measurement underthe first weight load to the measurement under the second weight load,thereby determining the actual mobility of at least the portion of thefoot; and comparing the actual mobility to the desired mobility todetermine whether the desired mobility has been achieved.

Optimally, the foot is placed in the position by inserting a mechanicalsupport under a selected portion of the foot.

A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions forexecuting a method comprising the steps of: measuring a first elevationfrom a reference plane of at least one location on an object under afirst weight load; measuring a second elevation from the reference planeof the at least one location on the object under a second weight load;and determining a mobility of the object at the at least one locationbased on a difference between the first elevation and the secondelevation.

The computer-readable medium wherein the method further comprisesdisplaying the mobility to a user, customer and/or physician.

The computer-readable medium wherein the step of displaying includesdisplaying information selected from the group consisting of: the firstelevation, the second elevation, the mobility, and any combinationthereof.

The computer-readable medium wherein the method further comprisingdesigning a corrective treatment based on the mobility, and displayingthe corrective treatment to a user.

The computer-readable medium wherein the corrective treatment isselected from the group consisting of: an orthotic intervention, asupport device, and a surgical procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of thie patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary device for measuring the contoursof an object, namely an optical contour digitizer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary device formeasuring the contours of an object, namely a pin digitizer with a footplaced thereon.

FIG. 3 is a posterior schematic view of a foot on an X/Y plane in anunloaded state.

FIG. 4 is a posterior schematic view of a foot on an X/Y plane in aloaded state.

FIG. 5 is a topographical display of an unloaded foot.

FIG. 6 is a topographical display of a foot in a loaded state.

FIG. 7 is a legend that shows the range of elevation represented inFIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a computer rendering of the negative of the unloaded foot ofFIG. 5, as viewed from the anterior of the foot.

FIG. 9 is a computer rendering of the negative of the loaded foot ofFIG. 6, as viewed from the anterior of the foot.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary gauge pin digitizer with an appliance in placeto correct a foot's position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for determininga mobility of an object such as a foot by measuring an elevation orheight of one or more points on the plantar surface of the foot, forexample under the medial longitudinal arch, in at least two states: i)an unloaded or minimally loaded state and ii) a fully loaded state. Thedifference in the heights of each point in the loaded and unloadedstates is used as an indicator of the midfoot mobility. It is theobjective of the present disclosure to set forth a method of using thesemeasurements in establishing relative mobility of various areas of thefoot.

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIGS. 1 and 2, examples ofdevices useful in measuring the contour of an object are shown. Althoughthe present disclosure is described in the context of a human foot, anyobject can be measured using the following devices and methods,particularly any objects or body parts that exhibit deformation whenloaded.

FIG. 1 shows an optical contour digitizer 100 for measuring a contour ofa foot 105. Digitizer 100 includes a transparent plate 110 and acarriage assembly that can be moved along an axis parallel to plate 110.The carriage assembly includes a support 120 that carries a camera 125,a red pass filter 130, an image mirror 135, laser emitter 140, and lasermirror 145.

In operation, the carriage assembly is moved in a left-to-rightdirection along plate 110. Laser 140 transmits its emission againstmirror 145 and through transparent plate 110 onto the subject surface offoot 105. An image of the surface is transmitted through transparentplate 110 onto image mirror 135, through red pass filter 130, and isviewed and captured by camera 125. The structure and operation ofoptical contour digitizer 100 is further described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/407,925, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,068,379, which isincorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 2 shows a pin digitizer 200 for measuring the contours of a foot205. Digitizer 200 includes a surface 210 having an array of apertures(not shown), and an array of gauge pins 215. In operation, foot 205 isplaced on surface 210, and pins 215 are urged upwardly through theapertures in surface 210. The upward motion of pins 215 is stopped whenpins 215 contact the surface of the underside of foot 205, and pins 215cannot overcome the normal force with which the surface of foot 205placed on surface 210 exerts downwardly on surface 210 and pins 215.Gauge pins 215 are optionally locked in place, and the change inelevation of each gauge pin 215 is determined. The position of gaugepins 215 can be determined using mechanical, electromechanical, optical,or a number of techniques and processes. The structure and operation ofdigitizer 200 is further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/871,556, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,692, which isincorporated by reference herein.

The devices described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2 are purelyexemplary. Any device that can take contour measurements or elevationmeasurements of an object may be suitable for use with the methodsprovided herein.

FIG. 3 shows a posterior schematic view of a foot 305 on an X/Y plane inan unloaded state. The Z vector indicates the elevation of a point onthe underside of the foot, in this case the arch, as measured at a givenX/Y point.

FIG. 4 shows a similar posterior schematic view of a foot 405 on an X/Yplane in a loaded state. The Z vector, located at the same X/Y positionas shown in FIG. 3, is significantly shorter. This is a function of themobility of the subject foot. Some feet will show greater or lesserdifferences. The variables that effect the observed differences include:arch height, weight, and age.

In a preferred method, one or more points are measured under the plantaraspect of a foot, preferably under the medial longitudinal arch. Thismeasurement is preferably done at or about the apex of the arch andmedial of the longitudinal midline of the foot. The measurement may alsobe performed under the medial or lateral heel to evaluate mobility ofthe calcaneous or the forefoot.

At least two measurements are performed at each point on the subjectsurface of the foot. A first measurement is performed at a point withthe foot unloaded or minimally loaded, and a second measurement isperformed in that same point with the foot supporting a selectedloading. In a preferred embodiment, the second measurement may beperformed with the foot “fully loaded”, i.e., as supporting full bodyweight. The load on the foot may be any selected amount of weight, orany load representing various positions of the body, such as sitting,crouching, etc. It may also be desirable in some cases to measure thefoot with all the body's weight on one foot or in an overloaded state tosee what the foot does under extreme stress. Although two measurementsare described for each point, additional measurements may be taken foreach point at various load amounts.

There are many existing technologies to take a measurement of this sort.These technologies include optical scanning, utilizing light such aslaser light, and reflected or structured light, and contact digitizing,where one or more gauge pins contact the subject surface and a linearmeasurement is made at each gauge pin's location. Examples of thesetechnologies are discussed above. Additional technologies include: i) anarray of sensor arms, e.g., swing arms, which are translated along anaxis whose radial position can be used to evaluate elevation, and ii)impression foam or other shape-memory materials, where two impressionare made of the foot and the resulting impressions are measured. Onecould also make a fully manual measurement of the arch or a simplemechanism can be devised to give an indication of the arch height andmobility.

In a preferred embodiment, a contact digitizer such as gauge pindigitizer 200 is used to make the measurements. A contact digitizer isideally suited to this type of measurement as it has the ability tosupport the foot during measurement, has a built-in datum surface (i.e.,its top plate), is highly accurate, and is able to provide closelycorrelated data points in the two weight states required.

For the initial measurement, the unloaded or minimally loaded foot isplaced on top surface 210 of contact digitizer 200. Gauge pins 215 areurged upwards against the undersurface of the foot. The relative heightsof each of gauge pins 215 is noted. This is preferably done using aprocessor to note and store each gauge pin's height. For the secondmeasurement, the subject foot resting on surface 210 has normal bodyweight applied to it. Gauge pins 215 are once again urged upwardsagainst the undersurface of the foot and the relative heights noted.

After data has been collected, at least two data sets result. A firstdata set includes height or elevation measurements of one or morepoints, i.e., locations, on the underside of the foot in an unloaded orminimally loaded state. A second data set includes height measurementsof one or more points on the underside of the foot in a selected orfully loaded state. Each point represented in the first data set shouldalso be represented in the second data set.

In a preferred embodiment, a large array of data points are measured, inorder to have a complete picture of the elevation of each area of thefoot. This can be accomplished using, for example, digitizer 200. Inanother embodiment, an optical digitizer, such as digitizer 100, canprovide a continuous measurement of elevation over all areas of thefoot.

Depending on the measurement methodology, the data sets may contain asfew as one or many numbers indicating the relative heights of the footin one or more locations. The contact digitizer records the heights overa wide area of the plantar aspect of the foot. Preferably, each data setrepresents an array of points on the underside of the foot, so that anaccurate determination of the deformation of the foot at various pointscan be determined. By analyzing the differences between the data fromthe unloaded and loaded foot, a determination of the relative mobilityof the foot in the region analyzed can be made.

In one embodiment, if the mobility of the arch of a given foot needs tobe determined, the foot is measured twice, i.e., once in an unloadedstate and once in a loaded state. The elevations of the sample point(s)under the arch are compared. The resulting difference is then comparedagainst a data set of previously measured feet or an algorithm based onknown foot dynamics to make a determination of the relative footmobility in that foot's arch region, compared to a “normal” foot orcompared to a foot having selected characteristics. Similarly, the datapoint(s) could be under the medial or lateral heel to evaluate mobilityof the calcaneous or the forefoot to evaluate forefoot varus/valgus invarious weight states.

The apparatus used in the method described herein may include acontroller 122, 222 for taking measurements, calculating the data setfrom each set of measurements, and/or providing mobility data to a user.The controller 122, 222 preferably includes a computing platform, suchas a personal computer, a mainframe computer, or any other type ofcomputing platform that may be provisioned with a memory device, a CPUor microprocessor device, and several I/O ports. Software instructionsfor carrying out the methods described herein are stored in the memorydevice, and executed by the CPU or microprocessor. The software iscapable of developing data which can be used to determine the correctiveamount required as a function of the foots mobility. The controller 122,222 may also include a display or other device for providing mobilityinformation. In another embodiment, mobility data and/or the display maybe transmitted to a remote user.

Mobility information may be provided to the user as raw data, or as adata set, such as in spreadsheet form, showing each height measurementand indicating the measurement location and load state. The data set mayalternatively only include calculated mobility measurements, i.e.,differences between heights of a point in various load states, for eachmeasured point on an object's surface. The data set may also be providedto the user in various visual forms, such as is described below.

FIG. 5 shows an elevation display 500, as a result of a computer scan ofan unloaded foot, with the data represented in a topographical format.FIG. 6 shows an elevation display 600 of the same foot in a loadedstate. FIG. 7 is a color legend that shows the range of elevationrepresented in FIGS. 5 and 6, in millimeters. FIGS. 5 and 6 also have asuperimposed array of dots 505 and 605 that are referenced along the xaxis by letters and along the Y axis by numbers. Comparing the twodisplays provides a clear indication of the changed state of thissubject foot in a loaded or unloaded state.

Comparing the elevation in a number of locations is illustrative of theanalysis methodology and the information that can be gleaned from it.Looking at the elevation in FIG. 5 at location E-16 shows an elevationof approximately 17 mm. The same location in FIG. 6 (in a loaded state)shows an elevation of approximately 8 mm. The simple formula:(Unloaded Foot Elevation at (X,Y))−(Loaded Foot Elevation at(X,Y))=(Mobility of Foot at (X,Y))can be used to indicate foot function, malfunction and provide a wealthof information useful to the design of interventions to address variousfoot maladies especially for young children. This result can be comparedwith mobility data on a reference foot to determine whether support maybe needed or helpful in this location of the foot. With early footorthotic intervention the foot can realign itself.

A similar analysis at location E-26 in FIG. 5 versus FIG. 6 shows asignificantly altered elevation pattern. In the unloaded state, theelevation of the foot at this point is approximately 1.2 mm. In theloaded state, the elevation of the foot at this point is 0 mm. Thisinformation indicates the need for posting (additional support) underthe medial forefoot to achieve a proper gait. In the case presentedhere, a medial forefoot post of approximately 2 degrees to address aforefoot varus is indicated.

Other regions of the foot can also reveal useful diagnostic informationby comparing the loaded or semi-loaded foot's contour informationagainst the same foot in an unloaded state. Some of these include: heelpronation, heel supination, Charcot foot, heel spur, dropped metatarsalhead, rigid foot issues, and forefoot varus or valgus. Each of theseconditions can be helped by using the information revealed by thisprocess to design an effective orthotic intervention.

FIG. 8 is a computer rendering of the negative of an unloaded foot asviewed from the anterior of the foot. FIG. 9 shows the same foot in aloaded state. It is easy to see the changes in the arch height and shapeas well as the posting evident in the medial forefoot.

In another embodiment, elevation display 500, or mobility data in anyother form, may be transmitted to a remote user. For example, display500 or measurement information may be displayed to an off-site doctor orfoot specialist for consultation. This may be accomplished via ateleconference, or by transmitting mobility data via a network such asan intranet or the internet, or by e-mail. Such remote transmission isuseful, as a user may be able to receive advice from experts regardingorthotic or other medical intervention without the cost and delayassociated with having additional live consultations or with sending apatient to numerous specialists.

FIG. 10 shows a picture of a gauge pin digitizer 1000 with an appliance1005 in place to correct the foot's position. FIG. 10 shows the positionof the gauge pins with the appliance in-place and the gauge pinselevated as if they were contacting the foot. By measuring the gaugepins in this state, it can be determined if the proposed appliance isaddressing the excess mobility as desired.

The method may also be enhanced by including pressure measurements atvarious points on the underside of the foot. These measurements may beuseful in providing information as to the pressure distribution on thesurfaces of the foot that contact a surface, especially when the foot isloaded. In one example, top surface 210 of contact digitizer 200 mayincorporate an array of pressure sensors embedded or resting on topsurface 210. Pressure sensors would only register a reading for thosesurfaces in contact with top surface 210. The pressure readings may bedisplayed similarly to elevation display 500. The pressure readings maybe displayed separately from elevation readings such as in elevationdisplay 500, or may be incorporated into elevation display 500. Forexample, those areas showing a 0.00 or −0.01 elevation may be givenpressure indications, so that a user can easily see the pressuredistribution over the areas having no elevation. Although pressuremeasurements alone have drawbacks, because the are a two-dimensionalmeasurement and therefore cannot measure mobility, such as arch dropmobility, pressure measurements can be useful as an enhancement toelevation mobility measurements.

A method is provided that includes the measuring and analyzing elevationdata described above. The method may also include utilizing theresulting characterization of the foot's mobility to 1) indicate theneed for orthotic intervention, and 2) provide suggestions on the natureof that intervention. For example, it can be determined from theexemplary elevation data shown in FIGS. 5-9 that the forefoot of thissubject needs forefoot medial posting. The elevation difference in theforefoot is used in this example to indicate the amount of the postingrequired to restore the foot's proper functioning. In this example, theforefoot should have posting on the order or 2 degrees medially.Similarly other elevation analysis can be used to indicate orthoticinterventions like: hindfoot medial and lateral posting, heel spurrelief, metatarsal head relief, metatarsal arch support (a.k.a.metatarsal pad or metatarsal bar) and medial and lateral forefootposting.

The method may also include the additional step of providing validationof an adjustment being made to the foot. For example, if used inconjunction with a gauge pin measurement device such as device 1000 ofFIG. 10, an adjustment appliance, such as adjustment device 1005, can beplaced between the foot and the reference plane. This device would beselected to correct for the mobility that is being derived by thistechnology. By doing an additional measurement of the foot with theappliance in-place, it can be determined if the foot stays in a positionmore like the unloaded foot. In another embodiment, the softwareincludes a capability for a user to simulate the inclusion of orthoticinterventions or other supports, and determine the mobility of variouslocations of the foot.

For example, the user may input a selected orthotic support or otherwiseinput the dimensions of an orthotic support. Based on this input,software that is run by the processor will modify the mobility data. Themodified mobility data may then be displayed, such as in a formatsimilar to that shown in FIGS. 5-9, to a user to allow the user toobserve the effect that the orthotic support has on the mobility of thefoot.

The method may also be used in conjunction with a video teleconferenceor still images to assist in diagnosing and designing interventions forpatients remotely. These images could be transmitted in any of a numberof generally available technologies including, but not limited to, I/P,optical, and wireless.

For example, a user may take mobility measurements of a patient's footas described above. These measurements may be transmitted to anddisplayed to a medical professional or expert who may be in a locationremote to that of the patient and user. The patient can then get thebenefit of the expertise of one or more professionals without having tophysically travel to that professional to have mobility measured.Furthermore, the user in this embodiment need only know how to operatethe system to take mobility measurement data.

When the mobility measurement data is transmitted to an expert, theexpert may analyze the data to determine what type of intervention isrecommended, if any. The software allows the expert (or any other user)to simulate various orthotic supports and display the mobility of thefoot with that support. This feature allows the expert to test varioussupports and determine the ideal supports to recommend. A video cameramay also be incorporated in the system described above to take images ofthe foot in various loaded states, so that the expert can visualize theposition and loading of the foot that corresponds with received mobilitymeasurement data.

Alternatively, the present disclosure comprises a method for determininga mobility of an object, such as a foot, comprising: measuring at leasta portion of a shape of the object under a first weight load; measuringthe at least the portion of the shape of the object under a secondweight load, wherein the measuring of the object under either or both ofthe first and second weight loads utilizes a pattern that is adhered orconformed to the object and wherein the patterns are captured by animaging device; and comparing the patterns measured from the first andsecond weight loads, thereby determining a mobility of at least theportion of the object.

Preferably, the imaging device is at least one device selected from thegroup consisting of: camera, chemical and digital.

The pattern is applied via a sock with a stripe pattern disposed thereonand wherein the imaging device is evaluates the shape of the stripes todetermine the shape of the contour of the object.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a method fordetermining a mobility of an object, comprising: measuring at least aportion of a shape of the object under a first weight load; measuringthe at least the portion of the shape of the object under a secondweight load, wherein the measuring of the object under either or both ofthe first and second weight loads is carried out via an imaging devicecomprising a grid for measuring the patterns of the object under a firstand second weight load, and wherein the patterns are captured by theimaging device; and comparing the patterns measured from the first andsecond weight loads, thereby determining a mobility of at least theportion of the object.

It should be understood that various alternatives, combinations andmodifications of the teachings described herein could be devised bythose skilled in the art. The present disclosure is intended to embraceall such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within thescope of the appended claims.

1. A method for determining a mobility of an object, comprising:measuring at least a portion of a shape of said object under a firstweight load using a device; measuring said at least said portion of saidshape of said object under a second weight load using the device; andcomparing said measurement under said first weight load to saidmeasurement under said second weight load, thereby determining amobility of at least said portion of said object.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein said object is a foot.
 3. A method for determining a mobilityof an object, comprising: measuring a first elevation from a referenceplane of at least one location on an object under a first weight loadusing a device; measuring a second elevation from said reference planeof said at least one location on said object under a second weight loadusing the device; and determining a mobility of said object at said atleast one location based on a difference between said first elevationand said second elevation.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein saidreference plane is a surface platform.
 5. The method of claim 3, whereinsaid object is a foot.
 6. The method of claim 3, where said mobility isdetermined by the formula:(Object Elevation at Initial Loaded State at (X,Y))−(Object Elevation atSecond Loaded State at (X,Y))=(Mobility of Foot at (X,Y)).
 7. The methodof claim 3, wherein said elevation measurement is taken along an axisperpendicular to said reference plane.
 8. The method of claim 3, whereinsaid at least one location is a plurality of locations arrayed on asurface of said object.
 9. The method of claim 3, wherein each saidmeasuring step uses a measurement system selected from the groupconsisting of: one or more gauge pins that contact a surface of saidobject, and one or more swing sensor arms.
 10. The method of claim 3,wherein each said measuring step uses an optical scanner thatincorporates a light source to determine said elevation, wherein saidlight source is selected from the group consisting of: a structuredlight, a laser light source and a combination thereof.
 11. The method ofclaim 3, wherein each said measuring step uses an optical scanner thatincludes a camera to evaluate the surface of the foot.
 12. The method ofclaim 3, where each said measuring step uses a pressure measurement tocharacterize the surface of the foot.
 13. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: comparing said mobility of said at least one location ofsaid object with a mobility of a reference object.
 14. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising designing, based on said mobility, a medicaltreatment selected from the group consisting of: an orthoticintervention and a surgical procedure.
 15. The method of claim 3,further comprising selecting, based on said mobility, a support deviceselected from the group consisting of: footwear and an insole.
 16. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising displaying said mobility to auser, customer and/or physician.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinsaid displaying includes providing a visual indication of mobilitycharacteristics across a surface of said object.
 18. The method of claim16, further comprising transmitting said visual indication of mobilitycharacteristics to a remote location.
 19. A method of evaluating theeffectiveness of a proposed orthotic intervention, comprising:determining a desired mobility of at least a portion of a foot; placingsaid foot in a position that creates said desired mobility; determiningan actual mobility of at least said portion of said foot by measuring atleast a portion of a shape of said foot under a first weight load;measuring said at least said portion of said shape of said foot under asecond weight load; and comparing said measurement under said firstweight load to said measurement under said second weight load, therebydetermining said actual mobility of at least said portion of said foot;and comparing said actual mobility to said desired mobility to determinewhether said desired mobility has been achieved.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein said foot is placed in said position by inserting amechanical support under a selected portion of said foot.
 21. Acomputer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions forinstructing a machine to execute a method comprising the steps of:measuring a first elevation from a reference plane of at least onelocation on an object under a first weight load; measuring a secondelevation from said reference plane of said at least one location onsaid object under a second weight load; and determining a mobility ofsaid object at said at least one location based on a difference betweensaid first elevation and said second elevation.
 22. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein said method furthercomprises displaying said mobility to a user, customer and/or physician.23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein said step ofdisplaying includes displaying information selected from the groupconsisting of: said first elevation, said second elevation, saidmobility, and any combination thereof.
 24. The computer-readable mediumof claim 21, wherein said method further comprising designing acorrective treatment based on said mobility, and displaying saidcorrective treatment to a user.
 25. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 24, wherein said corrective treatment is selected from the groupconsisting of: an orthotic intervention and a surgical procedure.
 26. Amethod for determining a mobility of an object, comprising: measuring atleast a portion of a shape of said object under a first weight loadusing a device; measuring said at least said portion of said shape ofsaid object under a second weight load using the device, wherein saidmeasuring of said object under either or both of said first and secondweight loads utilizes a pattern that is adhered or conformed to saidobject and wherein said patterns are captured by an imaging device; andcomparing said patterns measured from said first and second weightloads, thereby determining a mobility of at least said portion of saidobject.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said object is a foot. 28.The method of claim 26, wherein said imaging device is at least onedevice selected from the group consisting of: camera, chemical anddigital.
 29. The method of claim 26, wherein said pattern is applied viaa sock with a stripe pattern disposed thereon and wherein said imagingdevice is evaluates the shape of said stripes to determine the shape ofthe contour of said object.
 30. A method for determining a mobility ofan object, comprising: measuring at least a portion of a shape of saidobject under a first weight load using a device; measuring said at leastsaid portion of said shape of said object under a second weight loadusing the device, wherein said measuring of said object under either orboth of said first and second weight loads is carried out via an imagingdevice comprising a grid for measuring the patterns of said object undera first and second weight load, and wherein said patterns are capturedby said imaging device; and comparing said patterns measured from saidfirst and second weight loads, thereby determining a mobility of atleast said portion of said object.
 31. The method of claim 30 whereinsaid object is a foot.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein said imagingdevice is at least one device selected from the group consisting of:camera, chemical and digital.
 33. The method according to claims 1 or 3,or 26 or 30, wherein said device is one of a contact pin digitizer, animpression foam of shape memory materials, an array of sensor arms, andan optical scanning device.